Letters to the editor for March 21, 2012

To the Editor:
I’m sure the Japanese people were told that nuclear power was safe.
Today we know that it is not and an accident will have disasterous and long lasting results. The risks and the expense of nuclear power far outweigh the benefits when safer methods of power production can be developed. The money interests behind nuclear would not like to see this happen just as the powers behind gas and coal energy would like to see their profits continue to grow and expand in the face of diminishing resources. I salute the young scientists of today and hope that they can achieve a brighter future for all of us.
In the meantime, we need to do everything possible to reduce our dependency upon these resources and invest in learning for our future generations.
Myrna Doering
Jamestown

John Pendley, a hero?

To the Editor:
You think John Pendley is a hero? (Tom Birks, Feb. 20). Are you kidding?
He and probably the board put his untrained son with children, and look what happened. Had his son had formal training, this probably would have never happened. John, the staff and the board tried to cover it all up and blame the girl. That is reprehensible. She is a minor and can not consent. Do you think John and the board have moral superiority? I think not. More like protect your jobs on the back of this girl.
I feel that John has not been persecuted by The Union Democrat. I feel that they have brought out many facts that we would probably never have found out. Today, still nobody in the administration is accountable. I wonder if there are more girls who are too afraid to come forward. I think John and the entire board should be replaced for covering this up and not protecting the children and putting them first. Shame on you.
Tony Hendrickson
Sonora